This newest book in the UMT Series of Project Management Principles and Practices is designed to provide the novice with key insights needed to understand the rationale and process of contracting. The book is divided into nine chapters:

• Introduction. A description of the procurement life cycle and an identification of the strengths and weaknesses inherent in contracting.
• Procurement Planning. Insights into the issues and activities in the earliest stages of preparing to formulate a contract.
• Solicitation Planning. An examination of the steps needed to solicit bidders on a contract.
• Preparing the Bid. A discussion of steps contractors take in order to bid on an award.
• Source Selection/Contract Award. A description of how buyers review and prioritize bids.
• Post Contract Award/Contract Administration. A look at life after the contract is made that examines the roles of the different players involved.
• Contract Close Out. A description of the steps required to bring a contract to conclusion.
• Odds and Ends. An examination of the different types of contracts that exist.
• Conclusion. A summary of the book's main points.

Dr. Chen is a full professor at UMT. She has been running major education and training programs in China and the United States since the mid-1980s. Prior to coming to the United States in 1987, she directed research activities at the Space Medico-Engineering Institute in Beijing, where 200 projects were being carried out concurrently. She has published more than 20 scholarly articles on technical and management topics.

About the Authors

Dr. Chen is the Founder and President of the Yankee Clipper Group, an international training and consulting firm. Prior to establishing the Yankee Clipper Group, she was an International Fellow at the Smithsonian Institution, a Visiting Scholar at The George Washington University, a Director of Planning and Management for a large government organization, a Senior Research Scientist, and a Cardiologist. She has taught at The George Washington University, the International Space University, and Beijing Medical University.

Dr. Frame is Academic Dean of UMT, and one of the world's leading authorities on project management. He has written a number of books on risk management and technology management including: Managing Projects in Organizations, The New Project Management, Project Management Competence, Managing Risk in Organizations, and Project Finance: Tools and Techniques. Dr. Frame was Professor of Management Science at the George Washington University, where he served on the faculty from 1979-1998. In 1990-1996, he headed the certification program for the Project Management Institute (PMI). In 1997-1998, he was PMI's Director of Education Services. In 1999-2002, he served on PMI's Board of Directors.

Product Details

• Paperback: 153 pages; Dimensions (in inches): 0.50 x 8.58 x 5.75
• Publisher: UMT Press, 2006
• Price: $17.95

How to Obtain this Book

There are two ways to obtain this book:

1. Purchase a copy at UMT's secure Online Payment page.

2. Register for UMT's self-paced, online course, Contracts and Procurement. In addition to the textbook, you will receive access to a web site containing:

• Course modules
• Mentors Studio™ CD-ROM, Contract Management, featuring Mr. Thomas Block
• Think and Review sections for each module
• Answers to the Think and Review sections
• Final exam
• Certificate of Completion.

If you successfully complete the course, you are eligible to earn 30 Professional Development Units (PDUs) from the Project Management Institute.